Craved Affections

Chapter 13

"What did New York say?" Eric asked his brother. "Can they give me the volume we need by next week?"

"Well it's gonna be tight." Cole relayed. "They'll be some overtime, but they guarantee they'll deliver."

"You sure?" Eric asked. "If I had your job I wouldn't hinge my bets on that one."

"Bottom line is they want the work." Cole told him dryly.

"As long as we're covered." Eric mussed, flipping through pages and pages of documents. "I want this next week to run smoothly as glass."

"Anything I can do... Well from the looks of things, you've got everything pretty much under control." Cole sat on his desk. "You seem a lot less uptight than you were last night."

"You got that right."

"You never did tell me what was going on."

"Doesn't matter now." Eric tossed over his shoulder as he made his way over to a cabinet. "Looks like I lucked out."

"Whatever that means."

"It means, when you get a helluva scare you start to look at things differently."

Cole hummed. "I'm trying to read between the lines here."

"Don't." Eric warned.

"Getting over your head?"

"You might say that."

Cole sighed, "You never learn do you?"

"Well, maybe this time." He smiled at his brother then repeated. "Maybe this time."

"Well you won't with Caroline. She was with me, waiting for you."

"Just drop it!" Eric snapped. "Okay?" He added softer.

Cole shook his head in acceptance. "Hey I ran into Caroline's father in Dad's office, seemed awfully happy by the way."

"I know."

"Well he sure didn't used to be."

"The point is, he is now." Eric said and sat down comfortably. "And I want to keep him that way."

"Then this wedding really is coming on."

"Want some concrete proof?" Eric asked tossing him a box. "To the best man!"

"You don't give gifts." Cole said in exasperation.

"Today I give gifts." He smiled. "Go ahead, open it."

"I don't believe this!" Cole said looking into the box, pulling out the most dashing watch.

"You like it?" Eric asked.

"What do you think? It's great!" He looked up at his brother with new eyes. "Thank you."

"Cole." Eric said, laying his hand on both his brother's shoulders. "I'm glad to have my kid brother standing up there with me." He patted his cheek affectionately.

"Whatever it is, something's really changed you." Cole observed. "Is it Caroline?"

"What can I tell you." Eric laughed. "The love of a good woman does it every time."

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"There is still so much to do!" Caroline cried, dropping into the sofa. "I don't know how I'm ever going to be ready by Friday!"

"Well can I help?" Victoria offered. "I think that's supposed to be what bridesmaids are for."

"It's very nice of you to offer, but you know what I'd really like now that I've met you?" Caroline watched Victoria lean forward curiously. "Would you consider being my maid of honor?"